Rotary printing press



' Aug. 16, 1938. F. A. FOSTER 2,126,877

' ROTARY PRINTING PRESS Filed March 21, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 ilqfi;

J 6/4 WNTOR.

v UZ M AwGM/ZW ATTORNEYS.

Aug. 16, 1938. F. A. FOSTER 2,126,877

I ROTARY PRINTING PRESS Filed March 21, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Md d316 ATTORNEYS.

Aug. 16, 1938. F; A. FOSTER 2,126,377

ROTARY PRINTING PRESS Filed March 21, 1955 .4 Sheets-Sheet 3 fig INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS.

Aug. 16, 1938. F. A. FOSTER 2,126,877

ROTARY PRINTING PRESS Filed March 21, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 5M 344 7W W v ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 16, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ROTARY PRINTING PRESS Application March 21,

28 Claims.

lhe invention relates to new and useful improvements in rotary printing presses, and more especially to such improvements in the web supplying means for such presses.

Objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part hereinafter and in part will be obvious herefrom, or may be learned by practice with the invention, the same being realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities 10 and combinations pointed out in the appended claims.

The invention consists in the novel parts, constructions, arrangements, combinations and improvements herein shown and described.

The accompanying drawings, referred to herein and constituting a part hereof, illustrate one embodiment of the invention, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

Of the drawings:

Fig. l is a side elevation of embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is an end view of the bottom part of Fig. 1, looking from the right;

Fig. 3 is a top plan of the web supply means with the press unit removed; and

Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are diagrammatic showings of the printing couples and various arrangements of a web running therethrough.

Objects of the invention are to provide an improved web supply mechanism for rotary presses and more especially such a mechanism located in a substructure beneath the press. The invention provides web supplying and control- 35 ling mechanism which is simple, compact and reliable, and which can be installed and operated in a relatively low substructure. The invention provides such a mechanism which requires only minimum, and also very easy, handling of the 40 web rolls, and which avoids all lifting or upending of the rolls, or endwise movement and handling thereof in restricted spaces. The means for mounting the rolls are fully and readily accessible from the exterior of the press and from both sides thereof, and the necessity for endwise registration of the web rolls, as by an end lay mechanism, is avoided.

To secure these and other objects and advantages, the present embodiment comprises, in connection with a press unit having a plurality of horizontally arranged and a plurality of vertically arranged perfecting couples, a plurality of web rolls horizontally disposed and with their axes perpendicularly to the couples, and arranged at either side of the press and in end, to

a printing press 1935, Serial No. 121152 end relation along both sides of the press; a plurality of alternately operating web rolls, preferably a group of four, that is in pairs across and along the press, supplying the webs for each press unit, the web from any of said rolls being directable to any and all of the printing couples of the press unit. Web turning devices, and web tension controlling means are located beneath the press unit and between it and its group of web rolls. It will be seen that this affords a simple, compact and very low web supply unit of very great capacity; that the web rolls can be run on a dolly right to position to be mounted on the press without lifting or endwise shoving of the) web roll, and by the employment of movable angle bars all endwise adjustment of the web rolls is obviated. Two web rolls are maintained for each perfecting mechanism, one active and one in reserve, and the fresh web can be spliced on without in anywise disturbing any of the other webs or web rolls. It will be understood that the foregoing general description of the embodied invention, and the following detailed description as well, are illustrative and exemplary, but are not restrictive of the invention.

Referring now in detail to the embodiment of the invention illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, the invention is shown exemplarily applied to a printing press of the type shown in my copending application Ser. No. 732,793, filed June 28, 1934, although so far as concerns the main features of my invention it is also applicable to other types and kinds of printing presses. Said herewith illustrated press comprises a series of press units mounted in unit frames, each of said units comprising a plurality of printing couples arranged both vertically and horizontally in the unit, whereby a web may be run either across or vertically from one printing couple to another to perfect a web, or it may be run through both the vertically and horizontally arranged couples for multicolor. Any number of the press units may be mounted upon a bed, in a longitudinal series, for the desired size of product, with one or more folders as may be needed.

In said embodied form there is provided a press unit I having side frames 2, in which are journaled a printing couple having a printing cylinder and an impression cylinder 8, and arranged vertically above said couple is another printing couple having a printing cylinder I l and an impression cylinder l2. Mounted in the other half of the unit, in substantially horizontal relation to the first-mentioned printing couple is a printing couple having a plate cylinder l4 and an impression cylinder I5, and above said couple and in substantially horizontal relation with couple ll, I2 is a fourth printing couple [8, l9. Two webs may be run through the unit either horizontally or vertically to be perfected, or a single web can be run through all the couples for multicolor, and various other combinations can be made. The unit frame is centrally transversely divisible and is thus capacitated to be mounted in the press as single units or as double units, shown in Fig. 1, and as described in my beforementioned copending application.

The web supply comprises a plurality of horizontally and longitudinally disposed web rolls, and with the embodied double perfecting unit four web rolls are provided for each unit, being arranged in pairs at either side of the press, end to end, and with their axes horizontal and transverse to the printing couple, the pairs of web rolls at one side of the press being in transverse alinement with those at the other side. Web turning mechanisms are provided between the web rolls and the printing couples for presenting the webs to the couples and for registering the webs longitudinally of the printing cylinder without the necessity of moving the web rolls axially.

Referring now in detail to the embodied form of the web supply mechanism, on the press side frame, at either side of the press there are supporting brackets 21 and 28 for the spindle 29 of the web roll w, the brackets being conveniently mounted on the press side frame, there being two web rolls arranged end to end beneath the press unit at one side of the press (Fig. 1), and two web rolls in the same relation directly opposite at the other side of the press (Fig. 2), there being as embodied four web rolls beneath a press unit, said web roll supporting means are in fixed or stationary position, that is in permanent longitudinal position, with reference to a given printing couple and is the regular alternate supply for that particular couple. It will be seen that the replenishment of the web rolls is exceedingly simple and easy, as the new roll may be run on the dolly into position closely alongside the brackets 21 and 28 and shifted directly, and on the same level, into place on the brackets without any lifting or upending of the roll or any need for pushing it lengthwise into .a contracted space and there lifting or pushing it into position. In said embodied form, the web roll directly across the press from the running roll is the reserve roll, and either of these webs may be led to a common web-turning device and from it directed into the press.

As embodied, the web runs over a guide roller 33, journaled on the frame and runs thence preferably to an automatic tension controlling mechanism. Said mechanism, as embodied, comprises a roller 31, journaled in boxes 38, which are slidably mounted in bearing brackets 39 mounted on the press frame. The journal boxes 38 are acted on by springs 42, coiled about rods 43, which have screw-threaded spring tension adjusting nuts 44. The web passes from roller 38 to a roller 41, which is journaled in slidable bearings mounted in openings 48 on the machine frame. The pintles of roller 41 are mounted in a pair of slotted arms 52 and 53, fixed on a shaft 54, journaled in the press frame. Projecting downwardly from shaft 54 is an arm 55 to which is pivoted a rod 56, longitudinally slidable in a bracket mounted on the machine frame. A spring 58 is coiled about rod 56 in compression,

and a collar 58 serves to regulate the spring tension. Fixed to the end of shaft 54 is an arm 63, and pivoted to arm 63 is a rod 64, pivoted at its other end to lever 65 of the brake mechanism on one of the web roll spindles 29. Web guiding rollers r-l to r-8 are shown and the number and position of these may be changed and varied as desired to secure different one color and multicolor printing combinations as may be desired. Leads of a single web through a plurality of horizontally arranged and a plurality of vertically arranged printing couples are shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6.

The brake mechanism may be of any desired form, and as shown, comprises a pulley 66, fixed on web roll spindle 29, and acted on by opposed brake shoes 61 and 68, which are connected by suitable levers to the lever 65. A similar connection is made to the brake mechanism on the spindle 29 of the opposite web roll. Further detailed description is not required. The web then passes over a guide roller 13, journaled in the press frame, and then passes about a turner bar l4, located to turn the web into parallelism with the printing mechanism, the web passing thence over guide roller 15, journaled in the press frame, the web thence passing upwardly to the printing mechanism as shown in Fig. 1. The turner bar 14 is movably mounted so as to bring the web from successive web rolls into alinement without the necessity for a side-lay mechanism, or any other means for moving the web roll, to effect register of the web with the press. As embodied, each end of the turner bar is provided with a slot Tl, the ends of the bar resting upon slotted plates 18, mounted on the machine frame. A bolt 19 passes through each slot, the turner bar being thus movable to and fro to effect the side registration of the web as desired.

The invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific mechanisms shown and described but departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the accompanying claims without departing from the principles of the invention and without sacrificing its chief advantages.

What I claim is:

l. A rotary printing press including in combination a printing couple, and a web supply therefor including means for mounting two web rolls at either side of the press in permanent longitudinal position relatively to the printing couple and disposed horizontally and transversely to the printing couple, and web turning mechanism between the web rolls and printing couple l to present a web from either roll to the printing couple.

2. A rotary printing press including in combination a frame, a printing couple journaled therein, a web supply including a horizontally disposed web roll journaled at both ends in the same side frame of the press and web turning means between the printing couple and the web roll.

3. A rotary printing press including in combination a frame, a printing couple journaled in the frame, a web supply'comprising a horizontally disposed web roll journaled in a side frame of the press, a horizontally disposed web roll journaled in the opposite side frame, and web turning means for directing a web from either roll to the printing couple.

4. A rotary printing press including in combination parallel printing couples arranged in a series along the press, and web supplying means including means for mounting web rolls on each side of the press, a roll at either side of the press for a printing couple, in horizontal position and with the axes of the rolls parallel to the length of the press and web turning means between the Web rolls and the printing couples.

5. A rotary printing press including in combination parallel printing couples arranged in a series along the press, and web supplying means including means for mounting web rolls in fixed locations on each side of the press, a roll at either side of the press for a printing couple, in horizontal position and with the axes of the rolls parallel to the length of the press and web turning means between the web rolls and the printing couples.

6-. In combination a press unit comprising printing couples'arranged side by side and also one above another, and web supply means including means for mounting a plurality of web rolls in horizontal position at each side of the press and transversely to the printing couples, and means for directing a web from either of said web rolls to a plurality of vertically arranged or a plurality of horizontally arranged printing couples of said unit.

'7. In combination a press unit comprising printing couples arranged side by side and also one above another, and Web supply means including means for mounting a plurality of web rolls in horizontal position and end to end, and means for directing a web from either of said Web rolls to a plurality of vertically arranged or a plurality of horizontally arranged printing couples of said unit.

8. In combination a press unit comprising printing couples arranged side by side and also one above another, and web supply means including means for mounting a plurality of web rolls in horizontal position at each side of the press and also end to end along the press, and means for directing the web from either of said web rolls to a plurality of said vertically arranged or horizontally arranged printing couples of said unit.

9. In combination a press unit comprising printing couples arranged side by side and also one above another, and web supply means including means for mounting a plurality of web rolls in horizontal position at each side of the press and also end to end along the press, and means including a web turning device common to a plurality of said web rolls for directing the Web from any of said Web rolls to a plurality of vertically arranged or a plurality of horizontally arranged printing couples of said unit.

10. In combination a press unit comprising printing couples arranged side by side and also one above another, and web supply means including means for mounting a plurality of web rolls in horizontal position beneath the press, at each side of the press and also endto end along the press, and means for directing the web from either of said web rolls to a plurality of said vertically arranged or horizontally arranged printing couples, said means including a turner bar located beneath the press.

11. In combination a press unit comprising printing couples arranged side by side and also one above another, and web supply means including means for mounting a plurality of web rolls in horizontal position beneath the press, at each side of the press and also end to end along the press, and means for directing the web from either of said web rolls to a plurality of said vertically arranged or horizontally arranged printing couples, said means including a turner bar and web tension controlling means located beneath the press.

12. A rotary printing press including in combination a press frame including side members, a printing couple journaled in said side members, a web supply therefor including a web roll mountedon the press frame beneath the printing couple and disposed horizontally and transversely to the printing couple, and a turning device between the printing couple and web roll to present the web to the printing couple.

13. A rotary printing press including in combination a press frame including side members, a printing couple journaled in said side members, .a web supply therefor including a web roll mounted on one of the side members of the press frame and disposed horizontally andtransversely to the printing couple, and a turning device between the printing couple and web roll to present the web to the printing couple.

'14. A rotary printing press including in combination a press frame including side members, a printing couple journaled in said side members, a web supply therefor including a web roll mounted in permanent longitudinal position on the press frame and disposed horizontally and transversely to the printing couple, and mechanism between the web roll and printing couple for turning the web for presentation to the printing couple and.- for registering the web longitudinally of the printing couple.

15. A rotary printing press including in combination a printing couple, two web rolls disposed horizontally and transversely to the printing couple, one web roll being mounted in a side frame of the press and the other web roll being mounted in the opposite side frame of the press, and means for presenting a Web from either of said web rolls to the printing couple and-for registering it longitudinally with the printing couple.

16. A rotary printing press including in combination a printing couple, two web rolls disposed horizontally and transversely to the printing couple, one web roll being mounted in a side frame of the press and the other web roll being mounted in the opposite side frame of the press, and a variably positionable turner bar for receiving a Web from either roll and presenting it to the printing couple.

17. A rotary printing press including in combination a printing couple, a web supply therefor including means for rotatably supporting a full width web roll in fixed position beneath one end of said printing couple and with the axis of the roll horizontal and transversely positioned with reference to the printing couple and means for turning a web for presentation to the printing couple and for registering it longitudinally of the couple.

18. A rotary printing press including in combination a printing couple, a web supply therefor including means for rotatably supporting two full width web rolls in fixed position, one roll being adjacent one end of the printing couple and the other roll being adjacent the other end of the printing couple, said rolls having their axes hori zontal and transversely positioned with reference to the printing couple and parallel to each other, and means for turning a web on either roll for presentation to the printing coup-1e and for registering it longitudinally of the couple.

19. A rotary printing press including in combination a printing couple, a web supply therefor including means for rotatably supporting two full width web rolls in fixed position beneath the printing couple, one roll being adjacent one end of the printing couple and the other roll being adjacent the other end of the printing couple, said rolls having their axes horizontal and transversely positioned with reference to the printing couple and parallel to each other, and means for turning a web on either roll for presentation to the printing couple and for registering it longitudinally of the couple.

20. A rotary printing press including in combination a printing unit having a frame, a plurality of printing couples arranged both vertically and horizontally and journaled in the side frames of said unit, a web supply therefor comprising means for mounting two web rolls end to end and with their axes horizontal and transverse to said printing couples and means for mounting two web rolls at the opposite side of the press substantially in alinement with said first mentioned web rolls and arranged end to end with their axes horizontal and transverse to said printing couple, and means for presenting one or more webs from said rolls to one or more of the printing couples and for alining the web or webs longitudinally of the printing couple.

21. A rotary printing press including in combination a printing unit having a frame, four printing couples journaled in said frame in vertical and horizontal series, a web supply therefor comprising means supported on a side frame of the unit for mounting two web rolls end to end with their axes horizontal and transverse to said printing couple and means supported on the opposite side frame of the unit for mounting two web rolls in substantially transverse alinement with the first mentioned web rolls and end to end with their axes horizontal and transverse to said printing couple, and means for presenting one or more webs from said rolls to one or more of the printing couples and for alining the web or webs longitudinally of the printing couple.

22. A rotary printing press including in combination a printing couple, and a regular web supply therefor including means for mounting a web roll disposed horizontally and transversely in fixed position relatively to, and in perpendicular .alinement beneath the printing couple and a web turning device between the printing couple and. the web roll to present the web to the printing couple.

23. A rotary printing press including in combination a printing couple, and a regular web supply therefor including means for mounting a web roll disposed horizontally and transversely relatively to the printing couple and located beneath the printing couple, a web turning device between the printing couple and the web roll to present the web to the printing couple, a web tensioning device and a brake for the web roll mounted on the press frame.

24. A rotary printing press including in combination press side frames, a printing couple mounted therein, means for mounting a web supply roll in permanent relation at the side of the press with its axis horizontal and transversely to the printing couple, beneath the printing couple, and a web turning device beneath the press receiving a web from said supply roll and directing it to the printing couple, a web-tensioning device and a brake for the web roll mounted on the press frame.

25. A rotary printing press including in combination press side frames, a printing couple mounted therein, means at either side of the press at the side frames, for supporting a web supply roll in permanent longitudinal position with its axis horizontal and perpendicular to the printing couple, and a turning bar beneath the printing couple and between the press side frames.

26. A rotary printing press including in combination a press frame including side members, a printing couple journaled in said side members of the press frame, and a web supply therefor in cluding means for supporting a Web roll in fixed position longitudinally of the press and beneath said printing couple with the axis of the web roll disposed horizontally and transversely to said printing couple, said means being accessible for the insertion of a web roll from the side of the press and the press frame being open to permit the broadside insertion of the web roll into said supporting means.

2'7. A rotary printing press including in combination a printing couple, a web supply therefor including means for rotatably supporting a web roll including bearings in fixed position upon the press, and with the axis of the roll horizontal and transversely positioned with reference to the printing couple and means for turning a web for presentation to the printing couple and for registering it longitudinally of the couple.

28. A rotary printing press including in combination a printing couple, a web supply therefor including means for rotatably supporting a web roll including bearings in fixed position upon the press and located below the printing couple, and with the axis of the roll horizontal and transversely positioned with reference to the printing couple and means for directing a web upwardly and for turning the web for presentation to the printing couple and for registering it longitudinally of the couple.

FRANK A. FOSTER. 

